Childminder in Enfield

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 135723 Inspection date 17/02/2011 Inspector Carolyn Hasler

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 1999. She lives with her husband and children aged 17 and 14 years in Enfield Lock and area within the London Borough of Enfield, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the childminder's home is used for childminding, except the bedrooms.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of which may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from the local school and goes to several toddler groups regularly.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

This childminder offers a welcoming and friendly service. There are successful measures in place to acknowledge children's individuality. Overall the childminder has effectively introduced the Early Years Foundation Stage into her practice. She continues to review and improve processes to observe and assess with good outcomes. Initial communication between parents and the childminder mean that the childminder has the information on which to base care arrangements. There is a consistent approach to service improvement, including addressing recommendations from the last inspection. The childminder is enthusiastic and is keen to address weaknesses and implement change.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 review systems to verify the identity of any visitors, to the setting during childminding hours  develop further educational programmes to include evaluating assessments and planning for future learning  develop further systems to acknowledge children's unique qualities such as their ethnicity, first language, culture or disability This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder is meeting regulations and duties to safeguard children and demonstrates a good knowledge of safeguarding procedures. For example, she is able to confidently talk about the different areas of abuse, their signs and symptoms and the action she takes to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. The childminder understands her responsibility to ensure that children are not left unsupervised with others and is able to demonstrate that she has been vetted appropriately by Ofsted. Systems to verify visitors to the setting are not consistently used.

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the early years provision

The childminder has maintained a programme of training on childcare issues and shows interest in continuing this to address areas of weakness within her practice. Since the last inspection the childminder has attended courses in food safety, every child a talker, celebrating inclusion and diversity, music, self evaluation, early years foundation stage and child protection. She continues to maintain her paediatric first aid. The childminder has effectively met recommendations raised at the previous inspection and this has improved outcomes for children. She has developed and extended play resources to reflect others cultures, gender and disability and now takes improved precautions to ensure that nappy changing routines do not encourage cross contamination of germs. The childminder has successful procedures in place. Such as, accident and incident records, risk assessments of the premises and outings, and fire safety checks which all help her

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the early years provision

to review how effective systems work. Her self evaluation is an accurate appraisal of the settings effectiveness and recognises what needs to be done to secure further improvements.

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the early years provision

Children have access to a well planned environment. They have access to both inside and outside spaces and use both areas successfully as learning resources. Toys and equipment are stored at low level and are easily accessible to children. They are of good quality and well maintained. The childminder understands how to use resources successfully to ensure children maximise learning. The childminder has a secure knowledge of children's starting points and follows children's learning journeys through observations which are closely linked to the different areas of learning. Next steps are identified. However, observations and assessments are not yet effectively evaluated to support and extend future learning. Children are making good progress as a result of the environment they are in.

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the early years provision

The childminder successfully promotes equality and diversity. She does this through providing play resources and equipment that prompt children's awareness of differences in gender, culture, ethnicity, special educational needs and disability. In addition children are learning about special celebrations and events around the world. Recently they have celebrated Chinese New Year. The childminder is very knowledgeable about individual children and in relation to their starting points children are making good progress. However, limited recorded information is available regarding children's unique qualities.

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the early years provision

The setting has highly positive relationships with parents and carers. Relationships This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 are well established and ensure that each child's needs are met. Parents have access to lots of information about the setting including policies and procedures and can see information about the childminders registration. They are encouraged to use a range of communication technology to keep in touch throughout the day. This is particularly supportive for parents who are anxious. Parents are able to contribute to observations and assessments and feedback is available daily. Questionnaires and testimonials provide evidence that parents are happy with the service provided. The childminder understands the importance of fostering close working relationships with other settings where minded children attend. She is keen to ensure that parents feel they have some control and can contribute to

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the early years provision

successful partnerships in order to support individual children's learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and enjoy their time while at this setting. They are enthusiastic and motivated to learn and are engaged in a variety of indoor and outdoor activities. There is a good mix of child-led and adult-led activities. Children are able to demonstrate a willingness to keep themselves and others safe and are learning successfully about healthy lifestyles.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel safe at this setting; they build a strong sense of self and a shared sense of their community. Children are building awareness of safety; they understand dangers and this shows through within their play. For example, Children are learning about road safety in the garden through playing with road signs along side tricycles and scooters. Very young babies feel secure in this setting; they receive warm and responsive care with lots of close bodily contact to help them feel reassured. All children separate well from their parents and appear happy and settled. They are building secure and strong attachments to the childminder. Children are forming friendships and are able to play and learn independently or jointly sharing experiences with others. Older children show caring attitudes towards younger children. There is a sense of children feeling included and belonging. Behaviour is good, children are aware and comply to

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and outcomes for children

boundaries that keep themselves and others safe. Policies and procedures and documentation which underpin safety are used effectively to support the settings good practice.

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and outcomes for children

Children are building an awareness of the importance of having a healthy lifestyle. They are active and exuberant in their play, moving around the environment with ease and accessing outdoor spaces freely. They have a range of play resources which support their awareness of their bodies and help develop control and balance. Young children are supported to complete personal hygiene tasks. They take part and are familiar with daily routines that help them learn about hand washing and other tasks which keep them healthy. They have good role models in both the childminder and older children, which encourages younger children's own awareness. Children are learning the importance of healthy eating and are offered a selection of healthy choices. Drinks are available throughout their day. Babies This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and younger children appear content and settled because their health, physical

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and outcomes for children

Children are making good progress in their communication, language and literacy skills. They are chatty, engage in conversations and talk freely with the childminder about their learning. They particularly enjoy singing and rhyme activities. Children enjoy and have easy access to books. They have their favourites and are beginning to understand how to use these. Children are beginning to anticipate what comes next and are turning the pages and lifting flaps to confirm what they already know. Children have opportunities to mark-make and enjoy art and craft activities. There is some pencil control emerging. Children are beginning to count and are able to count with help to five. They engage in conversations about colours. There is a range of shape sorters, matching equipment and puzzles to help children gain confidence in problem solving. In addition younger children enjoy cooking activities which develops their awareness of mathematical language such as more and less

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and outcomes for children

while mixing ingredients. Children are encouraged to be aware of information, communication and technology through playing with interactive books and toddler toys which have a variety of buttons and leavers to negotiate. There are lots of prompts within the role play area which encourage children's awareness of technology. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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Stage

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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